Four years is also the amount of time that has passed since my mom died. I still remember that fateful morning clearly. Mom and dad leaving for Barbados, skyping with Trevor, my parents returning home having not even made it to the airport. Mom collapsing before she even made it back into the house. Being shocked to find out that she had a giant brain tumour that no one knew about. Everything happened so fast, and no one thought that it would be our last morning with her.
My first communion. Loving Matt's pose and red clip-on tie.
While the loss of my mom is heartbreaking and I miss her every day, I have found over these four years that the best way to honour and remember her is to be thankful for life, for the changes that have happened since, and to live my own life to its fullest. I am thankful that I was home in Markham for my practicum when she died instead of 3 hours away in Kingston. I am thankful that my parents were not on the plane or in Barbados yet. I am thankful for first aid training and camp experiences that helped me stay calm when my mom fell. I am thankful that, creepily enough, my mom had gone over what she wanted for her funeral with me the night before she died so that we sent her off properly (it was included in all the emergency contacts and information that she gave me since they were going to Barbados). I am thankful that my father, brother, and I have become so much closer; and that we have become better people.
Our annual Thanksgiving walk through Spring Valley
Mom- I love you and miss you. There are so many things that I want to share with you (talking about boys with dad is funny, but it's just not the same). But I know that you're watching over us and I am doing my best to make you proud.
